Chancellor Kent Syverud says the D’Aniello family’s gift is profoundly transformative and will allow Syracuse University to fulfill its promise of being the best place for veterans. Since its founding in 2011, more than 90,000 transitioning service members, veterans and military family members have participated in IVMF programs. The IVMF has pledged to place 30,000 veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses into desirable jobs by 2022 through its Onward to Opportunity-Veterans Career Transition Program.

“The commitment that Dan and Gayle D’Aniello have made to Syracuse University, to our students, to our faculty and to our veterans will have a tremendous impact on our University for generations to come,” says Chancellor Syverud. “Dan has dedicated his life to service—first in uniform and later as an entrepreneur, business leader and philanthropist. Syracuse University is deeply grateful for the D’Aniello family’s support, which has the potential to change the lives of millions of veterans and military families.”

Daniel D’Aniello, co-founder and chairman emeritus of The Carlyle Group, served as a supply officer in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Wasp (CVS 18) from 1968 to 1971. He went on to earn a graduate degree at the Harvard Business School, where he was a Teagle Foundation Fellow. In 2016, D’Aniello was awarded the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation’s Lone Sailor Award for drawing upon his Sea Service experience to achieve success in his personal and professional life while exemplifying the core values of honor, courage and commitment.

Citing his time at Syracuse University as life changing, D’Aniello says he’s honored to support his alma mater’s bold vision and ambitious goals.

“Gayle and I are proud to be able to support current and future students, especially those who have and will serve in our nation’s armed forces,” says D’Aniello.

Michael Haynie, Syracuse’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and IVMF’s executive director, says serving the nation’s veterans and their families is at the heart of the NVRC vision and mission.

“The NVRC will provide the tools, resources and support needed to fundamentally change the life trajectory of those who serve or have served,” says Haynie. “The NVRC will house state-of-the-art vocational and educational programs that are designed to advance the economic success of the region’s and the nation’s veterans and military families. It will also serve as a platform through which to seed, nurture and coordinate veteran-connected academic research and technology commercialization. It’s a truly innovative approach.”

Syracuse University, via its Academic Strategic Plan, is committed to building on its long legacy of supporting the nation’s veterans and military families. For example, the University has the longest, continuously running Army ROTC program and is consistently placed among the best universities for veterans rankings.

“The work being done at Syracuse, specifically at the IVMF, is simply unrivaled,” says Daniel D’Aniello, who serves as co-chair of the IVMF Advisory Board. “The fact is that unlike any other university, Syracuse understands and appreciates the significant contributions by and the great role veterans and military families play in our society. This new center will allow Syracuse University to help our nation not only respond to but anticipate the unique needs of this population by helping veterans more seamlessly transition to civilian life. To say this center is a game changer in the ongoing efforts to better the post-service lives of our veterans and their families is an understatement.”